Hakuouki: Dragon Circles in Quiet Summer

Chapter 2

She had lied and instead got dressed. All her things were untouched, including her fans that the other demons must've brought back.

She tucked them in her sash creating a strong security in her. She had missed them. She couldn't remember how many times her hand had reached for her waist only to realize they weren't there.

"Hello!" She says walking in the middle of the leaders meeting.

"Sakura! You're suppose to be resting!" Kondou-San says with surprise.

"I feel better. Tomorrow Saitou and I are going on a date for lunch." She informs Hijikata.

"What? It's none of my business but if you and Okita are having problems, this will cause more conflict." She laughs sitting back.

"He called me indecent. It's a little pay back along with some relaxation." She smirks making them laugh.

"I'm confident he didn't say that exactly." Sannan grins.

"No matter how you put it that's the word he meant. But I came because I'm sure you have questions. I'd rather answer to a small group of people than everyone else. It's a little embarrassing." They nod, understanding.

~~Sakura's POV~~

"What happened before your disappearance?" Hijikata asks.

"I have reports if you want them but... The reason I went out almost every night was because someone had been watching me. My usual work didn't take all night and I guess I never shared that because I needed a cover... I was always being watched and I tried baiting them and luring them out but nothing worked. It was so unnerving that sometimes I thought I was imagining it. That's how they started getting into my head."

"The demons told us you poisoned them and surrendered. Is that true?" Sannan asks.

"Half true. That's what I told them to tell you. After fighting a long battle with them I realized we weren't going to win and it would only get worse. I poisoned them and made a deal that I would give up if they left the demons and their clans alone as well as you guys..." I ball my hands into fists as I look to the floor.

"But they wanted more. They said I had to be punished for bringing filth on the name. Only until I made up for that could I make a deal..." Blood began to run from my clenched hands.

"Sakura, your hand is-" Kondou begins.

"So that's what I had to do. I had to surrender, give up my weapons... They put it as cleansing me of filth but they just beat me until they got board..." I growl. "Then as the final condition they came from all angles and stabbed me in the heart."

"How is it possible that you're alive?" Sannan asks intrigued.

"I thought I would die then but no. I can't die until I pass down the power. What it did was give them the power to create hallucinations in my head. I'm not even sure if anything is real right now but because one hasn't lasted this long I'm hoping this is real."

"Is there any way to tell?" Kondou asks.

"No, but in my hallucinations I'm tricked into believing all of you are here with me. You either are all dead or all of you try to kill me. Either way I can't do anything... You won't see any of them though... Only my brother who was the one who brought me here. He'll come and test my abilities every few weeks but I can't do anything about that."

"Brother...?" I nod.

"Yes, my little brother. To whom I owe everything." They all look at me in surprise.

"Sakura, whatever tricks they played on you-"

"It's not a trick. Despite how he comes off he really somehow still cares for me. It's because of him that I was allowed to come back. It sure beats the dark cave I was put in." I half joke wiping a few tears away. "I don't know why but they like to play games. They usually have the white hair and sash tied around their eyes. If you ever see that then run. And that goes for those of you eavesdropping. No one should have to go through what they're putting me through. Not if you value your sanity." I whisper almost to myself.